Naruto will go down as one of the greatest anime of all time, a series that dominated the manga and anime communities, shaping multiple generations of fans across decades. The story of an ostracized young boy with dreams of changing the world and becoming someone the world would have to acknowledge.

Naruto is one of the most beloved characters whose journey has not only shaped the hearts of anime fans but also every anime main character that has come after him. Naruto' s story features dozens of impactful moments, some of which remain touching years after their debut. Here are some of the best moments from Naruto that have stood the test of time.

8 Naruto Protects Tsunade

Naruto Proves His Ninja Way Isn't Just Talk

Naruto and Tsunade did not hit it off upon their first meeting. Tsunade was incredibly dismissive of the knuckleheaded ninja who proclaimed he would be Hokage. In return, Naruto showed little to no respect to one of the legendary Sanin and made no effort to hide his disappointment.

However, in episode ninety-four of Naruto, titled "Attack: Fury of the Rasengan," the bond between Naruto and Tsunade hardened into steel when Naruto put his life on the line to protect her from Kabuto and Orochimaru. Naruto boasted with pride and conviction, and even when he was at his limit, he surpassed his limits and let loose his first Rasengan. The buildup to that moment was perfect, leaving a significant impression on fans.

7 Killer Bee Schools Young Sasuke

Killer Bee Shows That There Are Powerful Ninjas All Over The World

In Naruto: Shippuden, Sasuke had enthralled himself in his hatred and joined the Akatsuki after killing his brother, Itachi. The Akatsuki wasted no time in putting him to work with one of his first missions being to obtain the Jinchuriki of the Eight Tails. Sasuke, Karin, Jugo, and Suigetsu cornered Killer Bee, of the Village Hidden in the Cloud, and thought to make quick work of the lone ninja. However, they highly underestimated the powerful Jinchuriki, who proceeded to educate them thoroughly on combat. Even with his Sharigan, Sasuke could barely keep up with the erratic movements of Killer Bee's sword style. This was a defining moment, highlighting just how far off the path Sasuke was.

6 Madara Uchiha Vs. The Ninja World

The Ghost Of The Uchiha Humbles The Next Generation

Madara Uchiha may be one of the most menacing anime villains of all time, despite not being present for the majority of the series. Dubbed as the Ghost of the Uchiha, Madara made his return as the fourth great ninja war kicked off, revived with a sinister plot to engulf the world in a global Genjutsu. As the most skilled ninja from each Ninja Village joined together, Madara met them all on the battlefield and took them all on by himself. Calling Madara a one-man army is an understatement, and his presence in the series is highly regarded as one of the greatest anime final battles of The Big Three's generation.

5 Zabuza's Final Stand

A Defining Moment In The First Season Of Naruto

Zabuza served as the first great challenge of Team Seven, with Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all being pushed to their limits by one of the swordsmen of the Mist Village. Charged with escorting a bridge builder back to his homeland, Zabuza erupted with extreme prejudice as a hired assassin to spoil their efforts and kill the bridge maker. Joined by Haku, the devilish pair nearly overwhelmed Team Seven as Zabuza and Kakashi seemed evenly matched, and Sasuke and Naruto were outclassed by Haku. This battle was an emotionally charged sequence and set the tone for the future episodes of the series.

4 Knucklehead Ninja Vs. Genious Prodigy

Possibly Naruto's Most Impactful Moment

The Chunin Exams arc is arguably one of the greatest arcs in Naruto, and possibly of all time. The budding ninja from multiple villages come to participate in a test to increase their rank. The arc ramped up during the tournament segment, where the remaining participants would face off against one another in one-on-one combat. One of the shining moments in the tournament and a fan-favorite fight was Neji's face-off against Naruto, a fight that everyone had pegged as an easy victory for Neji. It is always a bad move to underestimate Naruto Uzumaki, and his undying willpower to never give up. This was a thrilling underdog moment that finally showed what Naruto was capable of and what to expect on his journey to being Hokage.

3 Kakashi And Obito's Final Stand

Teammates Reunite On Opposite Sides Of The Battlefield

Among the brilliant story arcs in Naruto, one of the most unexpected was the climax of the rivalry between Kakashi and Obito. A long, though dead, leaf ninja, Obito reemerged as the puppet master behind the Akatsuki.

Seeking revenge for his suffering and grief, Obito leads the charge against the Leaf Village and the entire Ninja World. Standing in direct opposition, Kakashi once again faces off against Obito, and the climax of their history unfolds in a final fight that checks all the boxes of emotional weight, beautiful animation, and impactful pacing.

2 Naruto Vs. Sasuke: Round One

Broken Bonds May Be The Most Iconic Fight In Anime History

The rivalry between Naruto and Sasuke is one of the most legendary feuds and one of the most complex in anime. The arc between Naruto and Sasuke subverts expectations by giving them both core beliefs that clash, rather than fueling their story through competition or wrongdoing.

The fight that kicks off this clash erupts after Sasuke is lured to Orochimaru's side in episode 132, where Naruto and Sasuke go all out at each other for the first time. This fight does a spectacular job at portraying both young ninjas' emotions and delivers stunning visuals and parallels, cementing it as one of the top five fights of the series.

1 Rock Lee Drops The Weights

The Moment Where Every Anime Fan Locked In

The Chunin Exams were filled with incredible and impactful moments that sent ripples through Naruto's story. Multiple characters were debuted and defined in spectacular fashion. A fan favorite who exploded onto the scene was Rock Lee. The protégé of Might Guy, Rock Lee, blew fans away during his bout with Gara of the sand village. While many looked down on Lee for his inadequate Ninjutsu use, Might Guy turned him into a Taijutsu master and gave Lee permission to stretch his legs. Retreating for a moment, Rock Lee revealed he had been fighting with leg weight the entire fight, and what followed was a beautiful sequence of the Leaf's beautiful green beast unleashing his fury on the one-tailed Jinchuriki.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image